(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2009/0272379 A1
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Nov. 5, 2009
`THORENS et al.
`
`US 20090272379 A1
`
`(54) ELECTRICALLY HEATED SMOKING
`SYSTEM HAVING A LIQUID STORAGE
`PORTION
`
`(75) Inventors:
`
`Michel THORENS, Moudon (CH):
`Jean-Marc FLICK, Savagnier
`(CH); Olivier Yves COCHAND,
`Neuchatel (CH)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`BUCHANAN, INGERSOLL & ROONEY PC
`POST OFFICE BOX 1404
`ALEXANDRIA, VA 22313-1404 (US)
`
`(73) Assignee:
`
`Philip Morris USA INC.,
`Richmond, VA (US)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`12/432,215
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Apr. 29, 2009
`
`(30)
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`Apr. 30, 2008 (EP) ..................................... O8251579
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`A24F 4700
`(2006.01)
`H05B 3/02
`(2006.01)
`A6M I5/06
`(52) U.S. Cl. .................................... 128/202.21; 219/535
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`An electrically heated Smoking system includes a shell and a
`replaceable mouthpiece. The shell includes an electric power
`Supply and electric circuitry. The mouthpiece includes a liq
`uid storage portion and a capillary wick having a first end and
`a second end. The first end of the wick extends into the liquid
`storage portion for contact with liquid therein. The mouth
`piece also includes a heating element for heating the second
`end of the capillary wick, an air outlet, and anaerosol forming
`chamber between the second end of the capillary wick and the
`air outlet. When the shell and mouthpiece are engaged or
`connected, the heating element is in electrical connection
`with the power supply via the circuitry, and a flowpath for air
`is defined from at least one air inlet to the air outlet via the
`aerosol forming chamber. In use, liquid is transferred from
`the liquid storage portion towards the heating element by
`capillary action in the wick. Liquid at the second end of the
`capillary wick is vaporized by the heating element. The Super
`saturated vapor created, is mixed and carried in the air flow
`from the at least one air inlet to the aerosol forming chamber.
`In the aerosol forming chamber, the vapor condenses to form
`an aerosol, which is carried towards the air outlet.
`
`
`
`105
`
`107
`
`103
`
`115
`
`111
`
`101
`A1
`
`H- 113
`
`117
`
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`Patent Application Publication
`
`Nov. 5, 2009 Sheet 1 of 2
`
`US 2009/0272.379 A1
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`Patent Application Publication
`
`Nov. 5, 2009 Sheet 2 of 2
`
`US 2009/0272.379 A1
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`
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`JLI Ex. 2023, Page 3 of 8
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`

`

`US 2009/0272379 A1
`
`Nov. 5, 2009
`
`ELECTRICALLY HEATED SMOKING
`SYSTEM HAVING A LIOUID STORAGE
`PORTION
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATION
`0001. This application corresponds to European Applica
`tion No. 08 251 579, filed Apr. 30, 2008, the entire contents of
`which are incorporated herein by this reference thereto.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`0002 The present invention relates to an electrically
`heated Smoking system for receiving an aerosol-forming Sub
`strate. In particular, the present invention relates to an elec
`trically heated Smoking system for receiving an aerosol
`forming Substrate, in which the aerosol-forming Substrate is a
`liquid.
`0003) A number of prior art documents, for example U.S.
`Pat. No. 5,060.671 (commonly assigned, the entire contents
`of which are incorporated herein by this reference thereto),
`U.S. Pat. No. 5,388,594 (commonly assigned, the entire con
`tents of which are incorporated herein by this reference
`thereto), U.S. Pat. No. 5,505.214 (commonly assigned, the
`entire contents of which are incorporated herein by this ref
`erence thereto), U.S. Pat. No. 5,591.368 (commonly
`assigned, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein
`by this reference thereto), WO 2004/043.175 (commonly
`assigned, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein
`by this reference thereto), EP-A-0 358 002 and WO 2007/
`131449, disclose electrically operated Smoking systems, hav
`ing a number of advantages. One advantage is that they sig
`nificantly reduce sidestream Smoke, while permitting the
`Smoker to selectively Suspend and reinitiate Smoking.
`0004) Other prior art documents, such as EP-A-0295 122,
`EP-A-1 618 803 and EP-A-1 736 065, disclose electrical
`Smoking systems which use a liquid as the aerosol-forming
`Substrate. The liquid may be contained in a cartridge which is
`receivable in a housing. A power Supply, such as a battery, is
`provided, connected to a heater to heat the liquid substrate
`during a puff, to form the aerosol which is provided to the
`Smoker.
`0005. The electrically heated smoking systems of the prior
`art, including those described above, do have a number of
`advantages, but there is still room for improvement. It is
`therefore an object of the invention to provide an improved
`electrically heated Smoking system.
`
`SUMMARY OF SELECTED ASPECTS OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`0006. According to a first aspect of the invention, there is
`provided an electrically heated Smoking system comprising a
`shell and a replaceable mouthpiece, the shell comprising an
`electric power Supply and electric circuitry; the mouthpiece
`comprising a liquid storage portion, a capillary wick having a
`first end and a second end, the first end extending into the
`liquid storage portion for contact with liquid therein, at least
`one heating element for heating the second end of the capil
`lary wick, an air outlet, and an aerosol forming chamber
`between the second end of the capillary wick and the air
`outlet; wherein, when the shell and mouthpiece are engaged,
`the at least one heating element is in electrical connection
`
`with the power supply via the circuitry, and a flow route for air
`is defined from at least one air inlet to the air outlet via the
`aerosol forming chamber.
`0007. The at least one air inlet may be provided in the shell
`or in the mouthpiece. In use, liquid is transferred from the
`liquid storage portion towards the heating element by capil
`lary action in the capillary wick. When the heating element is
`activated, the liquid at the second end of the capillary wick is
`vaporized by the heating element to form a Supersaturated
`vapor. The Supersaturated vaporis mixed and carried in the air
`flow from the at least one air inlet to the aerosol forming
`chamber. In the aerosol forming chamber, the vapor con
`denses to form an aerosol, which is carried towards the air
`outlet into the mouth of a user.
`0008. The electrically heated smoking system according
`to the invention provides a number of advantages. Firstly,
`because the replaceable mouthpiece contains the at least one
`heating element, the liquid storage portion and the wick, all
`elements which are potentially in contact with the liquid are
`changed when the mouthpiece is replaced. There will be no
`cross-contamination in the shell between different mouth
`pieces, for example ones using different liquids. In addition,
`the liquid in the liquid storage portion is protected from
`oxygen (because oxygen cannot generally enter the liquid
`storage portion via the capillary wick) and, in Some embodi
`ments light, so that the risk of degradation of the liquid is
`significantly reduced. Therefore, a high level of hygiene can
`be maintained. Secondly, the mouthpiece structure means
`that there is a low risk of leakage from the liquid storage
`portion, which is not the case for many of the electrically
`heated Smoking systems of the prior art. This prevents waste
`of the liquid, but also makes it difficult for an unauthorized
`user to access the liquid by dismantling the mouthpiece. Also,
`if the mouthpiece is replaced at suitable intervals, there is
`little chance of the heating element becoming clogged with
`liquid. Finally, using a capillary wick extending between the
`liquid and the heating element allows the structure of the
`mouthpiece to be relatively simple. There is preferably only
`one capillary mechanism in the system.
`0009. The at least one heating element may comprise a
`single heating element. Alternatively, the at least one heating
`element may comprise more than one heating element, for
`example two, three, four, five, six or more heating elements.
`The heating element or heating elements may be arranged
`appropriately so as to most effectively vaporize liquid at the
`second end of the capillary wick.
`0010. The at least one heating element preferably com
`prises an electrically resistive material. Suitable electrically
`resistive materials include but are not limited to: semiconduc
`tors such as doped ceramics, electrically “conductive” ceram
`ics (such as, for example, molybdenum disilicide), carbon,
`graphite, metals, metal alloys and composite materials made
`of a ceramic material and a metallic material. Such composite
`materials may comprise doped or undoped ceramics.
`Examples of Suitable doped ceramics include doped silicon
`carbides. Examples of Suitable metals include titanium, Zir
`conium, tantalum and metals from the platinum group.
`Examples of Suitable metal alloys include stainless steel,
`nickel-, cobalt-, chromium-, aluminum- titanium- Zirco
`nium-, hafnium-, niobium-, molybdenum-, tantalum-, tung
`Sten-, tin-, gallium-, manganese- and iron-containing alloys,
`and Super-alloys based on nickel, iron, cobalt, stainless steel,
`Timetal and iron-manganese-aluminum based alloys. In com
`posite materials, the electrically resistive material may
`
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`US 2009/0272379 A1
`
`Nov. 5, 2009
`
`optionally be embedded in, encapsulated or coated with an
`insulating material or Vice-versa, depending on the kinetics of
`energy transfer and the external physicochemical properties
`required. Examples of Suitable composite heating elements
`are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,498,855 (commonly assigned,
`the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by this
`reference thereto), WO 03/095688 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,514,
`630.
`0011. The at least one heating element may take any suit
`able form. For example, the at least one heating element may
`take the form of a heating blade, such as those described in
`U.S. Pat. No. 5,388,594, U.S. Pat. No. 5,591,368 and U.S.
`Pat. No. 5,505,214. Alternatively, the at least one heating
`element may take the form of a casing or Substrate having
`different electro-conductive portions, as described in EP-A-1
`128741, or an electrically resistive metallic tube, as described
`in WO 2007/066374. Alternatively, the at least one heating
`element may be a disk (end) heater or a combination of a disk
`heater with heating needles or rods. Alternatively, the at least
`one heating element may take the form of a metallic etched
`foil insulated between two layers of an inert material. In that
`case, the inert material may comprise Kapton, all-polyimide
`or mica foil. Alternatively, the at least one heating element
`may take the form of a sheet of material, which may be rolled
`around the second end of the capillary wick. The sheet may be
`made from any Suitable material, for example an iron-alumi
`num based alloy, an iron-manganese-aluminum base alloy or
`Timetal. The sheet may be rectangular in shape, or may have
`a patterned shape which may form a coil-like structure when
`rolled around the second end of the capillary wick. Other
`alternatives include a heating wire or filament, for example a
`Ni-Cr, platinum, tungsten or alloy wire, such as those
`described in EP-A-1 736 065, or a heating plate.
`0012. In a preferred embodiment, the at least one heating
`element comprises a coil of wire Surrounding the second end
`of the capillary wick. In that embodiment, the wire is prefer
`ably a metal wire. Even more preferably, the wire is a metal
`alloy wire. The heating element may completely or partially
`encircle the second end of the capillary wick.
`0013 The at least one heating element may heat the liquid
`at the second end of the capillary wick by means of conduc
`tion. The heating element may be at least partially in contact
`with the second end of the wick. Alternatively, heat from the
`heating element may be conducted to the liquid by means of
`a heat conductive element. Alternatively, the at least one
`heating element may transfer heat to the incoming ambient air
`that is drawn through the electrically heated Smoking system
`during use, which in turn heats the liquid by convection. The
`ambient air may be heated before passing through the system.
`Alternatively, the ambient air may be first drawn through the
`second end of the wick and then heated, as described in WO
`2007/078273.
`0014 Preferably, the electric circuitry comprises a sensor
`to detect airflow indicative of a user taking a puff. The sensor
`may be an electromechanical device. Alternatively, the sensor
`may be any of a mechanical device, an optical device, an
`opto-mechanical device and a micro electro mechanical sys
`tems (MEMS) based sensor. In that case, preferably, the elec
`tric circuitry is arranged to provide an electric current pulse to
`the at least one heating element when the sensor senses a user
`taking a puff. Preferably, the time-period of the electric cur
`rent pulse is pre-set, depending on the amount of liquid
`desired to be vaporized. The electric circuitry is preferably
`programmable for this purpose.
`
`0015. Alternatively, the electric circuitry may comprise a
`manually operable switch for a user to initiate a puff. In that
`case, preferably, the electric circuitry is arranged to provide
`an electric current pulse to the at least one heating element
`when the user initiates a puff. The time-period of the electric
`current pulse is preferably pre-set depending on the amount
`of liquid desired to be vaporized. The electric circuitry is
`preferably programmable for this purpose.
`0016 Preferably, the at least one air inlet is in the shell.
`Alternatively, the at least one air inlet may be in the mouth
`piece. In one embodiment, the at least one air inlet comprises
`two air inlets. Alternatively, there may be three, four, five or
`more air inlets. Preferably, if there is more than one air inlet,
`the air inlets are spaced around the shell or around the mouth
`piece. In a preferred embodiment, the electric circuitry com
`prises a sensor to detect air flow indicative of a user taking a
`puff, and the at least one inlet is in the shell, upstream of the
`SSO.
`0017 Preferably, the electric power supply comprises a
`cell contained in the shell. The electric power supply may be
`a lithium-ion battery or one of its variants, for example a
`lithium-ion polymer battery. Alternatively, the power supply
`may be a nickel-metal hydride battery or a nickel cadmium
`battery or a fuel cell. In that case, preferably, the electrically
`heated Smoking system is usable by a Smoker until the energy
`in the power cell is used up.
`0018. Alternatively, the electric power supply may com
`prise circuitry chargeable by an external charging portion. In
`that case, preferably the circuitry, when charged, provides
`power for a pre-determined number of puffs, after which the
`circuitry must be re-connected to the external charging por
`tion. An example of suitable circuitry is one or more capaci
`tors or rechargeable batteries.
`(0019 Preferably, the shell further comprises a puff indi
`cator for indicating when the heating element is activated. In
`the embodiment in which the electric circuitry comprises a
`sensor to detect air flow indicative of a user taking a puff, the
`indicator may be activated when the sensor senses air flow
`indicative of the user taking a puff. In the embodiment in
`which the electric circuitry comprises a manually operable
`switch, the indicator may be activated by the switch.
`0020 Preferably, the shell and mouthpiece are arranged to
`releasably lock together when engaged.
`0021
`Preferably, the liquid storage portion is not refill
`able. Thus, when the liquid in the liquid storage portion has
`been used up, the entire mouthpiece is replaced. Alternatively,
`the liquid storage portion may be refillable. In that case, the
`mouthpiece may be replaced after a certain number of refills
`of the liquid storage portion. Preferably, the liquid storage
`portion is arranged to hold liquid for a pre-determined num
`ber of puffs.
`0022. The liquid has physical properties, including viscos
`ity, which allow the liquid to be transported through the
`capillary wick by capillary action. The liquid has a boiling
`point Suitable for use in the electrically heated Smoking sys
`tem: if the boiling point is too high, the heating element will
`not be able to vaporize liquid at the second end of the capillary
`wick, but, if the boiling point is too low, the liquid may
`vaporize even without the heating element being activated.
`The liquid preferably comprises a tobacco-containing mate
`rial comprising Volatile tobacco flavour compounds which
`are released from the liquid upon heating. Alternatively, or in
`addition, the liquid may comprise a non-tobacco material.
`The liquid may include water, solvents, ethanol, plant extracts
`
`JLI Ex. 2023, Page 5 of 8
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`

`

`US 2009/0272379 A1
`
`Nov. 5, 2009
`
`and natural or artificial flavours. Preferably, the liquid further
`comprises an aerosol former. Examples of Suitable aerosol
`formers are glycerine and propylene glycol. Additional
`examples of potentially suitable aerosol formers are
`described in EP-A-0 277519 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,396,911.
`0023 The liquid storage portion is preferably a container.
`For example, the container may be a container Such as that
`described in EP-A-0893 071. Preferably, the liquid storage
`portion does not include any porous materials, so that there is
`only a single capillary mechanism (the capillary wick) in the
`electrically heated Smoking system. This keeps the structure
`of the mouthpiece simple and the entire system low-mainte
`nance. Preferably, the container is opaque, thereby limiting
`degradation of the liquid by light.
`0024. The electrically heated smoking system may further
`comprise an atomizer including the at least one heating ele
`ment. In addition to the heating element, the atomizer may
`include one or more electromechanical elements such as
`piezoelectric elements. Additionally or alternatively, the
`atomizer may also include elements that use electrostatic,
`electromagnetic or pneumatic effects.
`0025. The capillary wick may have a fibrous or spongy
`structure. For example, the capillary wick may comprise a
`plurality of fibers or threads, generally aligned in the longi
`tudinal direction of the Smoking system, or sponge-like mate
`rial formed into a rod shape along the longitudinal direction of
`the Smoking system. The structure of the wick forms a plu
`rality of small bores or tubes, through which the liquid can be
`transported from the liquid storage portion to the heating
`element, by capillary action. The capillary wick may com
`prise any suitable material or combination of materials.
`Examples of Suitable materials are ceramic- or graphite
`based materials in the form offibers or sintered powders. The
`capillary wick may have any suitable capillarity and porosity
`so as to be used with different liquid physical properties such
`as density, Viscosity, Surface tension and vapor pressure.
`0026. The shell may comprise any suitable material or
`combination of materials. Examples of Suitable materials
`include metals, alloys, plastics or composite materials con
`taining one or more of those materials. Preferably, the mate
`rial is light and non-brittle.
`0027. The mouthpiece may comprise any suitable material
`or combination of materials. Examples of Suitable materials
`include thermoplastics that are suitable for food or pharma
`ceutical applications, for example polypropylene, poly
`etheretherketone (PEEK) and polyethylene.
`0028 Preferably, the electrically heated smoking system
`is portable. The electrically heated Smoking system may have
`a size comparable to a conventional cigar or cigarette.
`0029. According to a second aspect of the invention, there
`is provided a mouthpiece for engaging with a shell to forman
`electrically heated Smoking system, the shell having an elec
`tric power Supply and electric circuitry, the mouthpiece com
`prising: a liquid storage portion; a capillary wick having a first
`end and a second end, the first end extending into the liquid
`storage portion for contact with liquid therein; at least one
`heating element for heating the second end of the capillary
`wick; an air outlet; and an aerosol forming chamber between
`the second end of the capillary wick and the air outlet,
`wherein, when the shell and mouthpiece are engaged, the at
`least one heating element is in electrical connection with the
`power supply via the circuitry, and a flowpath or flow route for
`air is defined from at least one air inlet to the air outlet via the
`aerosol forming chamber.
`
`0030. In a preferred embodiment, the at least one heating
`element comprises a coil of wire Surrounding the second end
`of the capillary wick. In that embodiment, preferably the wire
`is a metal alloy wire.
`0031. According to the invention, there is also provided a
`shell arranged to engage with the mouthpiece of the second
`aspect of the invention.
`0032. According to a third aspect of the invention, there is
`provided a shell for engaging with a mouthpiece to form an
`electrically heated Smoking system, the mouthpiece having a
`liquid storage portion, a capillary wick having a first end and
`a second end, the first end extending into the liquid storage
`portion for contact with liquid therein, at least one heating
`element for heating the second end of the capillary wick, an
`air outlet, and an aerosol forming chamber between the sec
`ond end of the capillary wick and the air outlet, the shell
`comprising: an electric power Supply; and electric circuitry,
`wherein, when the shell and mouthpiece are engaged, the at
`least one heating element is in electrical connection with the
`power supply via the circuitry, and a flow route or flowpath for
`air is defined from at least one air inlet to the air outlet via the
`aerosol forming chamber.
`0033 Preferably, the electric circuitry comprises a sensor
`to detect air flow indicative of a user taking a puff.
`0034 Preferably, the shell further comprises the at least
`one air inlet.
`0035. According to the invention, there is also provided a
`mouthpiece arranged to engage with the shell of the third
`aspect of the invention.
`0036. Features described in relation to one aspect of the
`invention may also be applicable to another aspect of the
`invention.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`0037. Many objects and advantages of the invention will
`be further described, by way of example only, with reference
`to the accompanying drawings, and others will be apparent to
`those skilled in the art when the accompanying drawings are
`read in conjunction with this written description. In the
`accompanying drawings, like reference numerals are applied
`to like elements and:
`0038 FIG. 1 shows a shell of an electrically heated smok
`ing system according to an embodiment of the invention;
`0039 FIG. 2 shows a mouthpiece of an electrically heated
`Smoking system according to an embodiment of the inven
`tion; and
`0040 FIG. 3 shows a constructed electrically heated
`Smoking system, comprising the shell of FIG. 1 and the
`mouthpiece of FIG. 2.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`FIG. 1 shows a shell of an electrically heated smok
`0041
`ing system according to one embodiment of the invention.
`The shell 101 comprises an electric power supply in the form
`of battery 103, electric circuitry in the form of circuitry 105
`and puff detection system 107, a puff indicator 109, electrical
`connections 111, electrical contacts 113, air inlets 115 and a
`lock mechanism 117. The shell 101 is designed to engage
`with the mouthpiece 201 of FIG. 2.
`0042 FIG. 2 shows a mouthpiece of an electrically heated
`Smoking system according to one embodiment of the inven
`tion. The mouthpiece 201 comprises a liquid storage portion
`
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`US 2009/0272379 A1
`
`Nov. 5, 2009
`
`in the form of cartridge 203 containing liquid 205, a capillary
`wick 207, aheating element in the form of heating coil 209, an
`air outlet 211 and an aerosol forming chamber 213. The first
`end 207a of the capillary wick 207 extends into the cartridge
`203 and the second end 207b of the capillary wick 207 is
`surrounded by the heating coil 209. The mouthpiece also
`includes a cap 215 to protect the second end 207b of the
`capillary wick 207 and an insulation ring 217. The mouth
`piece 201 is designed to engage with the shell 101 of FIG. 1.
`0043 FIG. 3 shows the shell 101 of FIG. 1 engaged with
`the mouthpiece 201 of FIG. 2 to form an electrically heated
`Smoking system 301 arranged to supply aerosol to a user on
`demand. The shell 101 and mouthpiece 201 are releasably
`locked together by lock mechanism 117. Ends of the heating
`coil 209 are in contact with the electrical contacts 113 on the
`shell. Operation of the system 301 is as follows.
`0044) Liquid 205 is transferred from the cartridge 203
`from the first end 207a of the wick 207 to the second end 207b
`of the wick by capillary action. When the user draws on the
`device at the air outlet 211, ambient air is drawn through air
`inlets 115. In this embodiment, the puff detection system 107
`senses the puff and activates the heating coil 209 and switches
`on the puff indicator 109. The battery 103 supplies a pulse of
`energy to the heating coil 209 to heat the second end 207b of
`the wick 207. The liquid in the second end 207b of the wick
`207 is vaporized by the heating coil 209 to create a supersatu
`rated vapor. At the same time, the liquid being vaporized is
`replaced by further liquid moving towards the second end
`207b of wick by capillary action. (This is sometimes referred
`to as “pumping action'.) The Supersaturated vapor created is
`mixed with and carried in the air flow from the air inlets 115
`towards the aerosol forming chamber 213. In the aerosol
`forming chamber 213, the vapor condenses to form an inhal
`able aerosol, which is carried towards the outlet 211 and into
`the mouth of a user.
`0045. In this embodiment, the circuitry 105 and the puff
`detection system 107 are programmable. The circuitry 105
`and puff detection system 107 can be used to manage the
`device operation. In this embodiment, when the puff detec
`tion system 107 senses the user taking a puff, the battery
`Supplies a current pulse of a pre-determined time to the heat
`ing coil 209. The pre-determined time for the current pulse
`will depend on the amount of liquid required for a single puff,
`and the time taken for that amount of liquid to be vaporized.
`That will, in turn, depend on the properties of the liquid, the
`heating coil and the capillary wick. The pre-determined time
`may be between about 0.5 and about 3 seconds.
`0046. In this embodiment, the cartridge 203 in the mouth
`piece is sized so as to contain Sufficient liquid for a pre
`determined number of puffs. After that pre-determined num
`ber of puffs, the cartridge could be refilled, but preferably the
`entire mouthpiece is replaced. The pre-determined number of
`puffs is ideally between about 200 and about 2000 puffs and
`this will depend on the desired size of the cartridge, mouth
`piece and entire device, and the properties of the liquid being
`used. The cartridge 203 can be made from any suitable mate
`rial. Examples include glass and plastic polymers such as
`PET or others used in the pharmaceutical or food industries.
`The material should be chosen so as to avoid leakage, break
`age or abuse, as far as possible.
`0047. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, when the
`shell and mouthpiece are engaged, the cartridge 203 is posi
`tioned upstream of the second end 207b of the wick and the
`heating coil 209. Thus, ambient air is drawn through air inlets
`
`115 and passes around the cartridge 203 before reaching the
`second end 207b of the wick and the heating coil 209. How
`ever, in an alternative embodiment, the mouthpiece may be
`structured such that, when the shell and mouthpiece are
`engaged, the cartridge is positioned downstream of the sec
`ond end of the wick and the heating coil. In that embodiment,
`the ambient air will be drawn through the air inlets, then the
`vapor or aerosol will pass around the cartridge on the way to
`the air outlet.
`0048. The capillary wick can be made from a variety of
`porous or capillary materials and preferably has a known,
`pre-defined capillarity. Examples include ceramic- or graph
`ite-based materials in the form of fibers or sintered powders.
`Wicks of different porosities can be used to accommodate
`different liquid physical properties such as density, Viscosity,
`Surface tension and vapor pressure. The wick must be suitable
`so that the required amount of liquid can be delivered to the
`heating coil.
`0049. The mouthpiece and shell are sized and shaped so as
`to engage with one another, so as to produce a Suitably sized
`electrically heated Smoking system which can be used by a
`Smoker. The components of the mouthpiece and shell, includ
`ing the power Supply, circuitry, liquid storage portion, wick,
`heating element and aerosol forming chamber are appropri
`ately sized and shaped for the system design. The system is
`preferably portable and may have a size similar to that of a
`conventional cigar or cigarette.
`0050. The system of the invention allows the control of
`particle concentration (milligrams per liter, mg/l or milli
`grams per puff volume, mg/puff volume) in the aerosol, the
`average particle size in the aerosol and the distribution
`(range) of particle sizes in the aerosol. These may be con
`trolled by varying one or more of the aerosol former formu
`lation in the liquid, the energy transfer (thermal power per
`unit of Surface area) at the heating element, the design of the
`aerosol forming chamber and the operating temperature. The
`energy transfer will depend on a number of factors including
`the materials used for the heating element and the wick, the
`diameter of the wick, the design of the heating element
`including, if the heating element is a coil, the length, diameter
`and pitch (distance between spirals) of the coil, and the power
`applied to the heating element.
`0051. The operating temperature should be controlled to
`ensure that, as far as possible, no undesirable degradations of
`the aerosol former or formers and the flavouring material
`occur. This can be achieved, for example, by controlling the
`temperature of the heater if the heater is made from a suitable
`metal or alloy, using the variation in conductivity, or by con
`trolling the amount of energy delivered to the heater. A pre
`ferred operating temperature at the heating element is in the
`range of about 100° to about 300° Celsius. The arrangement
`shown in the Figures can operate within this temperature
`range, and may also provide a rapid response time (time
`between the user puffing on the system and the aerosol enter
`ing the user's mouth from the air outlet this may be referred
`to as “time to puff) of between about 10 and about 500
`milliseconds, ms.
`0052. The word “about” is sometimes used in connection
`with numerical values to avoid an interpretation of those
`numerical values based on mathematical precision. Accord
`ingly, when the word “about is used with a numerical value
`that numerical value should be interpreted to include a toler
`ance of +10% around the numerical value.
`
`JLI Ex. 2023, Page 7 of 8
`
`

`

`US 2009/0272379 A1
`
`Nov. 5, 2009
`
`0053. It is expressly intended that the various parts of this
`specification be interpreted consistently with one another so
`as to preserve the full and fair breadth of the claimed inven
`tion, and not in a way to restrict that interpretation.
`0054. It will now be apparent to those skilled in the art that
`a new, useful, and nonobvious electrically heated Smoking
`system has been described. Moreover, it will be apparent to
`those skilled in the art that numerous modifications, varia
`tions, Substitutions, and equivalents exist for various features
`of the invention. Accordingly, it is expressly intended that all
`Such modifications, variations, Substitutions, and equivalents
`that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims are
`embraced thereby.
`
`What is claimed is:
`1. An electrically heated Smoking system comprising:
`a shell having an electric power Supply and electric cir
`cuitry; and
`a mouthpiece with a liquid storage portion, a capillary wick
`having a first end and a second end, the fir